Charity, linguistically, is a gift sought to earn reward from Allah. Ongoing charity, specifically, holds one of the highest rewards and blessings in the sight of Allah because its impact endures, providing continuous benefits even after the donor's death.
· What does charity mean linguistically?
Linguistically, charity (Sadaqah) is derived from the root "Sadaqa," signifying strength in something, be it in words or otherwise. Charity is derived from this root, representing the strength inherent in the act of giving.
· What are the types of charity?
Charity is diverse and can be categorized into various types, including those with material impact like financial charity, and those with spiritual implications. Here are examples:
Financial Charity and Material Donations. There are many examples of these, such as:
- Supporting one's family financially, considering it an act of charity when done sincerely for the sake of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, "You will never spend a thing for the sake of Allah but you will be rewarded for it, even the morsel of food that you put in your wife's mouth."
- Planting Trees and Vegetation: The act of planting, leading to subsequent consumption by humans, birds, or animals, is considered charity. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, "If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person, or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift (Sadaqah) from him."
- Orphan Support: Supporting orphans is highly rewarded, as the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, "The one who cares for an orphan and myself will be together in Paradise like this," and he held his two fingers together to illustrate.
- Charity to Relatives and Neighbors: The Quran emphasizes the rights of neighbors and relatives. "The neighbor who is a relative, the neighbor who is a stranger."
- Ongoing Charity: This type of charity continues to earn rewards even after the donor's death. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, mentioned, "When a person dies, his deeds come to an end, except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge that is benefited from, and a righteous child who prays for him."
In summary, charity in its various forms holds great significance, providing both immediate and lasting benefits, reflecting the comprehensive nature of Islamic teachings on benevolence and generosity.
- Spiritual Charities
Spiritual charities are acts of giving not dependent on wealth. Muslims engage in these actions seeking closeness to Allah. Examples include performing worship, reciting supplications, and other deeds such as:
1) Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil: Guiding people towards righteous actions and discouraging them from wrongdoing.
2) Teaching Beneficial Knowledge: Striving to educate people in ways that benefit them.
3) Reciting and Teaching the Quran: Engaging in the recitation and teaching of the Quran.
4) Removing Harm from the Path: As the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Removing harm from the road is charity."
5) Providing Assistance and Help: Offering aid and preventing harm to others.
6) Supplicating for Muslims: Regularly remembering Allah through supplications and remembrance such as Tasbeeh, Tahmeed, Takbeer, and Tahlil, as these acts are considered ongoing charity.
· What are the types of ongoing charity?
Ongoing charity comes in various forms, with no specific type outlined. Anything with a lasting impact qualifies. Examples include:
Providing Water:
Especially the act of providing water is highly esteemed in Islam. The Prophet, peace be upon him, emphasized its significance, stating that even providing water to quench someone's thirst holds immense reward.
Hadith on Quenching Thirst: Narrated by Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, the Prophet, peace be upon him, mentioned that a man, in his journey, found a well and quenched his thirst. Later, he noticed a thirsty dog eating the dust in desperation. In response, the man descended into the well, filled his shoe with water, and quenched the dog's thirst. Due to this act, Allah forgave his sins.
These examples illustrate the diverse ways Muslims can engage in ongoing charity, emphasizing both material and spiritual dimensions in their benevolent actions.
Digging a Well:
Donating to dig a well is a significant form of ongoing charity with immense rewards both in this life and in the hereafter. Its reward in the afterlife is particularly substantial, as digging a well for the sake of Allah alleviates thirst on the Day of Judgment. Those who contribute their wealth to fund and actively participate in well-digging efforts aid in providing water to those in need, earning them a reward for every moistened throat.
Building a Mosque:
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, stated: "Whoever builds a mosque, seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will build for him a similar place in Paradise." (Bukhari and Muslim) Building a mosque is a virtuous deed that not only serves the community in this world but also ensures a mirrored reward in the Hereafter.
Sponsoring a Student of Knowledge:
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, mentioned, "When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge from which people benefit, and a righteous child who prays for him." This hadith emphasizes that acquiring knowledge and its continued benefit to others serve as perpetual charity even after one's demise.
Sponsoring an Orphan:
Sponsoring an orphan ranks among the most cherished ongoing charities in the sight of Allah. The Prophet, peace be upon him, expressed his closeness to the sponsor and the orphan in Paradise by saying: "I and the one who sponsors an orphan will be like this in Paradise," gesturing with his index and middle fingers and creating a distinction between them with his other fingers.
Feeding the Poor and Needy:
Feeding the poor and needy possesses several qualities that distinguish it as an exceptional form of ongoing charity:
It is considered a trait of the righteous, as stated by Allah.
It serves as a path to salvation from the horrors of the Day of Judgment.
Ongoing Charity for the Dead Person:
One of Allah's favors upon His servants is allowing them to contribute to ongoing charity on behalf of the dead person, seeking Allah's mercy, forgiveness, and pardon for the departed. This type of charity continues to accrue rewards for the individual even after their death, alleviating their burdens.
Charity for Relatives:
Islam places great importance on family, designating specific rewards for each act of worship performed for one's family. Offering charity to relatives, especially to parents, is among the acts that earn double rewards—one for the relatives and another for the individual making the donation.
Charity in Times of Prosperity:
Charity blesses wealth, and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, proclaimed, "Wealth does not diminish due to charity." Muslims are encouraged to give charity consistently according to their means and needs. Additionally, charity increases sustenance, as Allah multiplies the rewards, as mentioned in the Quran.
Kind Words as Charity:
Out of His mercy and greatness, Allah has made kind manners a form of ongoing charity. A good word, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and offering sincere advice all qualify as acts of charity. The Prophet, peace be upon him, affirmed, "A kind word is charity," highlighting that a person's wealth is not diminished when they generously share kind words or offer a smile to others.
Muslims should enumerate the destinations of their charity, ensuring a share of the reward for each act of worship. This includes contributing to the iftar for fasting individuals, sponsoring orphans, supporting the elderly, participating in mosque construction, and distributing books and Qurans, among others.
Donate your ongoing charity to the SOS Children’s Villages Jordan and contribute to providing a warm home and a family atmosphere for every child. This ongoing charity has been approved by the Jordanian Ifta Department (Religious Edict).